CINEMA JAZIREH, 2025

Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania, Iran | DCP, Color, 128’ | Farsi
Directors: Gözde Kural
Cast: Fereshte Hosseini, Mazlum Sümer, Ali Karimi, Hamid Karimi, Meysam Damanzeh

In Afghanistan under Taliban pressure, we follow Leyla’s dangerous journey as she disguises herself as a man to find her son. In a country where women are forbidden to go out without a male companion, Leyla fights both social oppression and the harsh conditions of the land, gluing her deceased husband’s beard to her face and wearing his clothes. A parallel narrative in the film takes place in Cinema Jazireh, a hidden space where boys are forced to work and exploited. The film powerfully conveys an oppressive order that compels individuals into unacceptable identities through a striking atmosphere. The film premiered in the main competition of the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

January 11, 17.00
January 22, 19.00